Rapid curing of concrete with acetic acid

Abstract

Concrete is the most commonly used building material in construction. Its role is imperative, particularly in the Philippines, where rapid urbanization and the government's continued investment in infrastructure development have increased the demand for cost-effective and versatile materials. The 'Build, Build, Build Program' initiated by the former Philippine President Duterte's administration has focused on rehabilitating and expanding infrastructure projects, such as housing, commercial spaces, and other infrastructure projects, highlighting the critical need for efficient, timesaving, and sustainable concrete production. Proper curing is vital in producing high-quality concrete to ensure its full strength and durability over time, significantly affecting its performance and lifespan in various construction projects. Moreover, while a longer curing time promotes the polymerization process and improves compressive strength, the challenge of time in construction means that a lengthy curing time may not be practical. Hence, the present study aims to enhance the curing process by using acetic acid in the curing solution. The goal is to reduce the curing time while maintaining or improving the compressive strength. The results are expected to determine the physical and mechanical properties and the significance of the findings in the curing process following the ASTM and AASHTO guidelines, with a compressive strength test conducted according to the ACI code. The study established a curing time of 7, 14, and 28 days, with three treatments administered: 100% water, 75% water with 25% acetic acid solution, and 50% water with 50% acetic acid solution. The optimal concentration of 75% water with 25% acetic acid solution treatment demonstrated a compressive strength of approximately 21.17 MPa after 16 days of curing, indicating early-stage compressive strength development. In conclusion, the modified curing solution using acetic acid showed promising results in enhancing the curing process in concrete production.